That's right, no clever titles here. And, we know for darn sure we can’t get this thing out monthly; hence the “quarterly” part. In here you will find updates on Sentient, but this is not a marketing piece – this is a conversation starter – so, hello. We want to talk and engage with you – our readers (customers, partners, long lost friends) about branding, research, emerging technology and the world around us. We will highlight recent blog posts (awarenessiseverything.com), industry news, Sentient news and more here. Looking forward to the discussion.

Paul Janowitz
Founder and CEO

They say we play it safe in Boston. Sentient adds risk-taking Boston office.

So when Paul asked if we were willing to move to Austin the immediate reply was absolutely…not. Are you kidding? We love it here amidst the climate changes, history, and free driving lessons we receive every day when we get behind the wheel of our cars (although most of us are public transportation junkies). You’re going to have to pry us off of the Bunker Hill Monument if you want this team to go anywhere. Ask us that question again Paul in mid-February and let’s see if we give you the same answer.

Our Boston location, which will be led by Marc Girolimetti, is going to be a major strategic outpost for Sentient. Not only is there plenty of local clientele to take care of, but New York - where many of our clients reside - is a quick ride away and that beautifully renovated airport of ours can get us anywhere in the world we need to be. Our focus is going to be cutting edge interactive and integrated branding. There is a rich talent pool in place here; plus, with all of those colleges and universities we will have our pick of interns and hungry graduates looking to change the world. Over time we hope Boston is the model for future expansion.

Next time you’re in town - or if you’re planning your first trip - don’t hesitate to give us a shout. We’ll tell you which tourist traps to avoid, where to find the best lobster, how to remain calm while driving aggressively, and why we’re so crazy about those Red Sox.

It’s a fun town and we’re a fun group that will never pass up an opportunity to hang with good people.

Marc Girolimetti

Meet Renee Callahan: Blogger, creativity expert, and bluegrass musician. And, our new Director of Research.

Renee Callahan joined Sentient in May after many years of weekend trips down I-35 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Austin in search of good music and good barbecue. She came to Sentient from Decision Analyst in Arlington, Texas, where she was Director of Insights and Innovation.

Renee’s varied background makes her a perfect fit for Sentient’s Knowledge Studio approach. Before joining Decision Analyst in 2000, Renee was a journalist and later a marketing professional. She has worked as an editor and writer for The Dallas Morning News and as Managing Editor of D Magazine. She has also worked in marketing for Whole Foods Market and Harcourt College Publishers.

In other words: In no particular order, she’s stopped the presses, interviewed singer Emmylou Harris and chef Jacques Pepin, written a history of business in Texas, started the first-ever store email newsletter for Whole Foods Market, started IdeaFlow (a pioneering innovation and creativity blog), and trained clients in the Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem-Solving Process. She’s also written white papers, presented at conferences, reviewed restaurants, books, and concerts, moderated online and in-person focus groups, created online ideation techniques, facilitated online and in-person ideation sessions, and performed with a folk-bluegrass trio called Acoustic Moon.

Now, as Director of Research at Sentient Services, Renee will lead Sentient’s research department as they continue to pioneer new ways of gathering customer insights, including conducting research via social media methods and in virtual worlds. She will also be blogging on marketing research, social media, and innovation.

Jessica Dierks

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